Medical card holders in nursing homes will no longer be charged, it was confirmed today, as the Government admitted to levying potentially illegal fees in the past.
The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, told the Dáil she had instructed health boards to stop charging such patients in public institutions or contract beds immediately.
"There may also be issues, on foot of the advice from the Attorney General, that arise since health boards became aware that this was not legally safe," she said.
Ms Harney was responding to a question from Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny, who welcomed the recognition that the charging of elderly patients in public nursing homes is "illegal".
"The Tánaiste's belated instruction to health boards to cease this charge forthwith confirms Fine Gael's consistent position that since the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2001, these charges cannot legally be levied," he said.
Prior to 2001, health boards were legally entitled to seek a contribution from medical cardholders in public long-term care.
Mr Kenny asked when the Department of Health was first alerted to the issue, why the Attorney General's advice was only sought after the issue was highlighted by Fine Gael TD Mr John Perry and whether the problem had been covered up by the Government for two years.
PA